Public reading first steps as serial for teens developed for stage

Madelyn Sergel plans to bring skateboards, in-line skates, cheerleading and martial arts to the future.

The Gurnee writer will give her audience the first glimpse into her science-fiction action series called "Walls" at 2 p.m. Sunday at Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee.

Sergel created "Walls" as an alternative to a lengthy theatrical show. "Walls" is performed by and geared toward teens. Each episode features a story that is generally resolved, but there is a cliffhanger to keep the audience curious as to what will happen next.

Sunday's performance will be a public reading, Sergel said, where the teen cast will read the script and stage direction, so the audience understands the action in each scene.

Sergel hopes the public reading will be the first step toward developing a full production, which she envisions would include two seasons featuring eight episodes each.

"Any play begins by featuring a public reading. It is the traditional way to begin to develop a play for full production," she said.

Sergel said she wrote "Walls" specifically to be done in the suburbs, for the teen actor and audience. She said there are talented teens here who are waiting for a vehicle to showcase that talent.

"I love the idea of carving out a place for teenagers to not study, not take another class, but to create," she said.

Diane Braun, the library's programs director, said the library always looks to bring teens into the library and incorporate the arts further into programming.

"The library is a perfect place to host something like this because of our location in the community," she said.

The story begins as four teens find themselves 150 years in the future in an abandoned suburb. There is Sean, the athlete; Tiff, an artistic type; Rudy, the nerd and debater; and Mary, the skateboarder.

Dave Lamattina, who plays Rudy, a character who shares his same lack of athletic ability and love of technology, said it is great to see an opportunity as a teen to perform on a live stage.

"It gives kids a chance to come out with their theater capability and to show off what they can do," said Lamattina, a 16-year-old from Lindenhurst.

Sergel said the four characters work together and use their strengths and viewpoints to survive. But Sergel, the mom of an 8-and 10-year-old, also decided to incorporate some of the activities she sees teens doing in the suburbs. Adding skateboarding, skating, cheerleading and stage combat in the story reflects that.

"It gives an opportunity for kids who may not be actors to showcase their talent," she said.

The first person the four characters encounter is Deer, played by Samantha Charles of Antioch, who mugs them for their cell phones and then disappears. Charles said Deer is wild and agile on a skateboard.

But when the four later encounter unknown fighters all on skateboards, Deer, along with two others, come to their aid and drive the assailants away.

As the episodes continue, the four high school students wonder about their families and their world as they face more attacks.

The cast also includes Dirk Allie of Waukegan, Tegan Anclade of Antioch, Josh Becker of Libertyville, Colleen Geddes of Antioch, Neil Phelps and Brianna Bagnoli of Lake Forest and Kevin Meece of Merrillville, Ind.

Another public reading has been planned at 10 a.m. May 18 at the Wilmette Theatre. The current cast is invited to give that reading.

Among her ideas is to introduce the project to a school, college or professional theater. She has invited Gurnee officials to Sunday's reading in hopes that the village may want to use it to develop something for area teens and theater professionals. Or the show may be produced independently.

If the show is developed into a full production, Sergel said another audition would be held to fill the cast.

Charles said no one has done this type of story before. She enjoys it and thinks other teens will, too.

"They will enjoy the sci-fi aspect of it and the skateboarding. This is all about teens, so they can relate to it," she said.

Reservations are requested to attend the program. For more information, call the library at (847) 244-5150.